Blowing the gaff

[nbc@inf.rl.ac.uk]

>From: chrisw@fciad2.bsd.uchicago.edu (chris williams)
>Subject: Re: Aspel distribution clarification

>   The film was called "Blowing the Gaff" (one of the phrases used in
>   the O.E.D. in the definition of the word "gaff".) This phrase seemed
>   really obscure, but in the film "The Crying Game" the female IRA member
>   (Miranda Richardson?) askes the lead if he "...blew the gaff."

The phrase is not obscure over here - it means giving the game away,
letting the cat out of the bag, divulging secret information. Very
common usage.

Neil

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